WRITTEN BY Bek Mitchell-Kidd
INTERIOR DESIGN BY Fratt & Bush Home
Located just outside of St. Louis, this Town and Country home has metamorphosized from its 1998 shell to reveal fresh blues and whites that give its traditional structure a modern feel.
For several years, Dede Fratt and Lindsay Bush of Fratt & Bush Home (FBH) have been working to reimagine each room of the home.
Heritage was a driving force in the design. “The owner has a wonderful collection of blue and white porcelain, and beautiful family heirlooms including pieces of Chinoiserie artwork, along with Asian-influenced needlepoint rugs and pillows that were done by her mother and grandmother,” says Dede.
Art is located throughout the home and influenced the design selection—in particular, solid fabrics on the sofas and bar stools in order to let the art pieces stand out.
In the living room the long wall is covered in a navy blue grass cloth which allows the gold-backed wall panels to stand out. The wall panels and the coromandel screen above the sofa have been in the client’s family since the 1940s.
The sofas and the Lucite coffee table are from Highland House. There is a beautiful Schumacher crewel fabric on the blue lacquered fireplace chairs, the small sofa lamps are by Ralph Lauren, and the two chandeliers are from Restoration Hardware.
Two stories high, the living room is vast. Lindsay says, “The idea was to keep the light and airy feeling but make sure the room felt welcoming. We accomplished this by taking away two ceiling fans and putting in handsome brass light fixtures that you view from the upstairs balcony. We moved the mirror, which had been at the mantel top, to ceiling height, and we cut it in half and then added a beefy frame. This decision really helped scale down the room.”
The living room also has a custom bar area built by St. Louis-based Beck/Allen Cabinetry with a magnificent walnut countertop. “This is a wonderful place to perch and look at the fire and listen to their musically gifted children play the piano and guitar,” says Dede.
In the kitchen is a gorgeous enamel French blue Lacanche range set against a chevron design of Calacatta Oro marble backsplash. The two island counter tops are also Calacatta Oro.
The island closest to the stove gives the clients space to prep and work. The second island is to eat and socialize. Both islands have ample storage below, perfect for a family that loves to cook and entertain for their many friends and extended family.
There is carefully designed lighting installed, including in the cabinets that flank the sink and showcase some of the clients’ much-loved porcelain pieces.
Above the sink is the open passthrough to what the owners affectionately call the “the Piazza Katarina.”
The powder room is light and whimsical with Clarence House Tibetan Dragon wallpaper and gold fixtures from Watermark in Brooklyn, NY. The mirror, a vintage bamboo that FBD found at a resale shop in St. Louis, adds a pop of luxe.
The clients have done the multi-year renovation in stages—the outdoor entertaining area was completed first. The piazza has ample seating and dining areas with a fireplace and a grilling area. The double-storied living room is also accessible from the piazza.
The master suite approach starts with glamor. The entryway is wallpapered with Schumacher’s “Hellene” featuring Staffordshire dogs and Ming vases—it’s Mylar, playful and unexpected.
The bath is accessed through two black French doors. FBH kept the stained glass above the doors which, while part of the original construction of the home, now has a new lease on life.
“This bathroom had been dark and felt closed in. It was long and narrow with dual walk-in closets. It is now light and truly beautiful. The lighting, pocket doors, and the hardware are all details not to be overlooked,” says Lindsay.
“We feel that the house is truly lovely. There is a beautiful flow for entertaining, cooking, and visiting. The home is very comfortable and well-thoughtout. Whether in winter or summer, it is beautiful for all seasons—a true getaway and respite from the everyday! It has been our great pleasure to be able to assist this wonderful family in bringing their vision for their home to life,” says Dede.
ABOUT THE DESIGNERS
Dede Fratt and Lindsay Bush are great friends that share a love of fine design. Fratt & Bush Home (FBH) helps people fall in love with their home again, via design coaching, remodeling, and some clever styling tricks.
Known for their discerning eye in creating beautiful spaces that combine comfort with quiet sophistication, they thoughtfully layer modern elements alongside beloved treasures creating a seamless ambiance that flows from one room to the next.
Love the kitchen! Can you let me know what mfr. the hardware is and also the finish? Thank you!